Leviathan (Books I and II)
Thomas Hobbes
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Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil, commonly called Leviathan, is a book written in 1651 by Thomas Hobbes. It is titled after the biblical Leviathan. The book concerns the structure of society (as represented figuratively by the frontispiece, showing the state giant made up of individuals), as is evidenced by the full title. In the book, Thomas Hobbes argues for a social contract and rule by a sovereign. Influenced by the English Civil War, Hobbes wrote that chaos or civil war - situations identified with a state of nature and the famous motto Bellum omnium contra omnes ("the war of all against all") - could only be averted by strong central government. He thus denied any right of rebellion toward the social contract. However, Hobbes did discuss the possible dissolution of the State. Since the social contract was made to institute a state that would provide for the "peace and defense" of the people, the contract would become void as soon as the government no longer protected its citizens. By virtue of this fact, man would automatically return to the state of nature until a new contract is made. Summary from Wikipedia. (11 hr 33 min)
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Reviews
helps you understand the world
Electrosceptic
the purpose of this book is to give you a insight into how humans operate and works its way out to Nations. this is a great book for just getting a foundation if you're ever lost and you're trying to find some Foundation to your life, this is a good book
Well read, though I disagree with the content.
Steven H.
The readers are good though I think the book itself is nonsense.
great book
A LibriVox Listener
it makes you think a great deal about the current government in which one is subject.
Thank you
Ruslan Vasylev
Many thanks to the readers! Listened to the book 4 times.
well read
Thiago Coelho
Remarkably seamless for a multiplayer reading!
A LibriVox Listener
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